Filling machine



Oct. 27, 1953 F. w. KRUEGER 3 FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1947 eSheets-Sheet 1 26 FRANK w. KRUEGER F1Ei .1

ATTORNEYS Oct. 27, 1953 F. w. KRUEGER 2,656,963

FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 m INVENTOR I FRANKH. KRUEGER ATTORNEYS Oct. 27, 1953 F. w. KRUEGER 2,656,963

FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FRANK '5'. KRUEGERATTORN EYS Oct. 27, 1953 F. w. KRUEGER 2,656,963

FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 A' fT-OR N EYSOct. 27, 1953 F. W. KRUEGER FILLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept.16, 1947 I INVENTOR FRANK M'KRUEGEI? 202 FIG ATTORNEY S Oct. 27, 1953 F.w. KRUEGER FILLING MACHINE s SheetsSheet 6 'iled Sept. 16, 1947 INVENTORFRANK If KRUEG'ER ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 27, 1953 FILLING MACHINE FrankW. Krueger, San Jose, Calif., assignor to Food Machinery and ChemicalCorporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware ApplicationSeptemberlG, 1947, Serial No. 774,213

15 Claims.

syrup, brine or juice, in some instances the containers being filledwith fruit juice alone. Thereafter the containers are sealed and passedthrough a processing apparatus for cooking or sterilizing the contentsof the container. For

purposes of safety it is necessary that each container be provided withan air space adequate to compensate for expansion of its contents due tothe high temperatures to which the c0ntainers are subjected duringcooking and sterilization. Consequently, it has been found mostpractical to preoccupy a portion of the interior of each containerduring the filling thereof so as to displace a portion of the liquid inthe container and thereby allow for ahead space above the level of theliquid in the same.

While the provision for a head space is imperative, it is equallyimportant that each container be filled to its maximum capacity and thatthe head space be no greater than necessary to safely treat the contentsof the container. Since the available space in any particular containeris a known factor, and the amount of air space re quired for safetypurposes during treatment of the contents of such container can bedetermined,

the sizeoi body necessary to displacean amount of liquid sufficient toprovide such an air space a can also be determined. Consequently it isthe practice to provide a displacement mechanism associated with thefillingvalve for preoccupy ing a predetermined proportion of the spacewithin the container during the filling operation.

Although prior known filling valves havebeen provided with a device forsatisfactorily accom- Dlishing the foregoing purposes it has been foundthat in the canning or" solid matter, the displacement member is itselfdisplaced due to engagement with the solid matterQor in the case ofcan-.

ning verysoft fruit such as apricots, berries and peaches, there is atendency for the liquid displacement. member to crush the fruit and insome cases close ofif the spaces between the pieces of fruit inthecontainer.

It is one object of the present invention topro: vide adisplacement-device for obtaining aproper head space in containersduring filling thereof with an equal assurance that each container will2 be filled with liquid to the desired filling level prior to sealing ofthe container.

Another object is to provide filling valves with a displacement devicefor occupying a predetermined and proportioned amount of the spaceavailable in a container to thereby displace a predetermined amount ofliquid during filling thereof.

Another object is to provide an expansible displacement device foryieldingly engaging solid matter in a container during filling thereof.

Another object is to provide a filling valve with a pliant displacementpad adapted to conform to the shape of solid matter engaged thereby andadapted to expand laterally compensatory to its pressure against thesolid matter to assure a proper displacement of liquid in the containerduring filling thereof.

Another object is to provide a filling valve with a liquid displacementdevice which is nor mally retracted during presentation of a containerto the valve and expansible into the container for displacing liquid inthe same.

Another object is to provide a collapsible displacement device which dueto collapsing thereof is retractible from within the confines of thecontainer.

Another object is to provide, in connection with container fillingmachines, a displacement device which is collapsible after displacementof liquid relative to the container for allowing a proper head spaceabove the liquid level therein.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription in connection with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a filling machine embodying thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the machine of Fig. 1 takensubstantially along line 2'-2 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through a container lift of the fillingmachine.

Fig. 4 is a section similar to that of Fig. 3 showing portions thereofin a difiierent position. Fig. 5 is a vertical section through one ofthe filling valve units shown in Figs. 1 and 2 embody ing thepresentinvention.

i Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through the filling valve shown in Fig.5 when the same is in neutral or container receiving and/or dischargingcondition. i Fig. j'7 is a section showing thecondition of the fillingvalve during vacuumization of a container.

Fig. 8 is a section similar to that of Figs. 6 and si ilar to that ofFig. 6

'7 showing the condition of the filling valve during filling of acontainer with liquid.

Fig. 9 is a partial section of the filling valve taken along line 9 inFig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a partial section taken along line Iii-50 in Fig. '7.

Fig. 11 is a section through the filling valve taken along line l 1-! lin Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a section looking upwardly along line i2l2 in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the body only of the filling valve unitshown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the valve member of the filling unitremoved from the filling valve body shown in Fig. 13.

For purposes of illustration, the present inven:- tion i associated witha filling machine of the conventional type substantially as shown anddescribed in copending application Serial No. 774,214 filed September16, 1947, in which I am the joint applicant with William de Back.

In general, the filling machine (Figs. 1 and 2) comprises a frame I, amovable turret 2, a drive mechanism 3, a feed mechanism 4, and adischarge mechanism 5.

The frame 1 comprises a base 8 provided with an upstanding annular wall9 and a platform l0 which may be formed integrally with or secured toone side of the base to provide a support for both the feed and thedischarge mechanism 4 and 5, respectively. Extending upwardly in theframe I are three equally spaced legs l2, l3 and I4, seen also in Fig.2. The legs i2 and it, being similar to each other, are supported bybrackets l5 attached to the upstanding wall 9, whereas the leg [4, whichis shorter than the others, is supported by the platform In. These threelegs are braced between their ends by an annular strap 16 secured toeach of the legs by machine screws H. Secured to the upper end of eachleg l2, l3 and I4 is a gear housing 18 enclosing a power transmissionunit l9 forming a part of the above mentioned drive mechanism 3.

'The base 8 is provided with a pedestal 25 in which a thrust bearing 2|is seated. Supported on the bearing 2| is the lower end of a tubularshaft 22, the upper portion of which is rotatably supported by a bearing24 provided in the lower wall of the housing It.

The tubular shaft 22 is blocked between its ends to provide a lower andan upper conduit 25 and 25, respectively. The lower conduit 25 extendsthrough the base 8 into an elbow 21. The connection between the conduit25 and elbow 2'! is air tight and is such as topermit rotation of shaft22 relative to the elbow which is secured to the base and connected to apipe 28 communicating with a vacuum pump, not shown. The upper conduit26 extends through the housing l8 and into a liquid tight elbow 29 andis secured thereto by a suitable packing nut 33 so as to permi trotation of the shaft 22 relative to the elbow. The elbow 29 isconnected to a fluid supply pipe 3! associated with a source of liquidwhence water, Syrup, or juice is fed into the filling machine.

Substantially midway its ends the shaft 22 is provided with a shoulder'32 for supporting a distributing chamber 33. The distributing chamber33 comprises a cup shaped housing 34 of frusto conical form having aboss formation 35 at its lower end seated upon the shoulder 32 and keyednular recess 38. The beveled surface 31 of the ring casting restsagainst the internal wall of the cup shaped casting 34 and is pressedinto sealing engagement therewith by a plurality of compression springs39 (Figs. 1 and 2). Each spring 39 surrounds a stud pin 40 having itsupper end secured to a disc 4] in turn secured to the lower wall of thehousing I 8 by bolts 42. The upper Wall of the ring casting 36 isprovided with a tapped opening 43 in which a pipe 44 is threadedlysupported and this pipe 44 is connected to a so1 .Ce of fluid, notshown, such as water. The water is supplied by way of the pipe 44 to thedistributing chamber 33 for ready distribution to the filling valves ofthe machine in a manner later to be explained.

The tubular shaft 22 is provided with an annular flange 45 to which theturret 2 is secured for rotation therewith. The turret 2 comprises upperand lower discs 46 and 41, respectively, spaced from each other by a web48 to provide an air tight chamber 49 in conjunction therewith aroundthe lower conduit 25 of the tubular shaft 22. The conduit 25 has severalports exposed to the interior of the chamber 49 for Vacuumizing thesame, the lowermost port 55 providing a drain for clearing the chamberof drainage. Vacuumization of the chamber provides a reservoir of vacuumfor use in connection with the filling of containers. A plurality offilling valves 5| are supported in annular array on the upper disc 46and a can lift 52 is supported in axial alignment with and below eachvalve by the lower disc 4']. The lower disc 41 includes a dependingannular bracket 53 provided with a lateral flange 54 disposed parallelto the upper outer extremity 55 of the disc 41 for supporting the canlifts 52 in annular arrangement adjacent the periphery of the turret 2.

Each lift 52 (Figs, 3 and 4) comprises a pair of guide rods 55 and 51disposed parallel the shaft 22 and in spaced relation along a lineextending radially of the same. The lower end of the guide rod 56 issecured to the flange 54 and its upper end is secured to the outerextremity 55 of the disc 41. The guide rod 51 is secured to the lowerflange portion 54 of the disc 41 by a set screw 58 and extends upwardlythrough a bore 59 provided in the outer extremity 55 of the disc 41.

Slidably mounted on the guide rod 51 is a sleeve 60 having secured toits lower end a yoke casting 6| carrying a lateral stud 62 upon which aball bearing roller 63 is mounted for rolling movement within a camtrack 64. The cam track 64 is supported by the upstanding wall 9 of thebase 8, concentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of thetubular shaft 22; The yoke portion of the casting 6| straddles the guiderod 56 to prevent turning of the sleeve 50 as the roller 63 travelsalong the cam track 84.

The sleeve 60 and guide rod 51 telescope rela:- tive to each otherandthe upper portion of the sleeve is guided for sliding movement in abushing 65 provided in the bore 59. The upper end 56 of the sleeve 60extends above the disc 41 and has a cup shaped flange 6'1 threadedlysecured thereto, the connection between the cup and sleeve beingprovided with suitable packing 68 to provide an air tight sealtherebetween.

Welded or otherwise connected to the cup shaped flange 61, so as toextend upwardly therefrom, is a cylindrical shell 69 provided at itsupper end with a conical rim T0 for reasons later to be ade a arent. Theguide rod 5! extends into the cylindrical shell 69 and has a pistonstructure II slidably arranged thereon and provided with a sealing ring12 which engages the inner wall of the shell 69.

Secured to the upper end of the piston 'II by machine screws T3 is a cantable I4 which is threadedly connected to the reduced upper end I5 of arod F6 disposed for sliding movement in an axial bore 1! provided in therod 51. Each can table I4 is normally disposed in its lowermostposition, i. e., at the same level as the upper surface of the platformI (Fig. 1) to receive containers from the feed mechanism 4.

Mounted on the upper wall of the housing It of the drive mechanism 3 isa motor 18 (Fig. 1) having a multiple drive pulley, not shown, drivinglyconnected by belts 80, to a multiple pulley 8| keyed to one end of adrive shaft 82 extending from the housing It. The drive shaft 82 issuitably supported for rotation within the housing I8 by spaced bossesformed on a bracket 85 secured to the lower wall of the housing, and theshaft 82 has a. worm gear 86 keyed thereto for rotation therewith.

The bracket 85 (Fig. 1) is provided with a pair of vertically alignedbearings 81 and 88 adjacent one side of the shaft 82 and a pair ofvertically aligned bearings 89 and 00 adjacent the other side of thesame. The bearings 81 and 88 support a stub shaft 9| having a worm wheel52 keyed thereto drivingly engaging the worm gear 86 on the drive shaft02. Also keyed to the stub shaft BI is a spur gear 93 which meshes witha gear 04 keyed to the tubular shaft 22 for rotating the latter andturret 2 within the frame. The spur gear 93 also meshes with a gear 95keyed to a shaft 96 supported parallel to the stub shaft 9| by thebearings 39 and 90 of the bracket 85 The gear 95 meshes with a gear 9?keyed to a shaft 98 providing, an auxiliary drive for the feed and thedischarge mechanisms 4 and '5. This auxiliary drive shaft 98 (Figs. 1and 2) is suit ably supported for rotation by a bearing 03 provided inthe lower wall of the housing I8 and a thrust bearing (not shown)provided in the platform I0.

Secured to the shaft 08 adjacent the platform is a star wheel I00 (Fig.2) for receiving containers fed onto the platform from an inlet chuteIOI The containers are moved by. the star wheel I00 along an arcuatepat-h adjacent a guide rail I02 supported by the short leg Id of theframe. The star wheel Hi0 transfers the containers from the platform I0,individually, onto successive can tables 14, as the latter move oneafter another into registration with the containers nest-ed between thepoints of the star wheel. The end of the guide rail I02 is so located asto release each container as it is properly positioned on a can table'M'so that the latter removes the container from the star wheel I00.

After each can table H! has received a container, the roller 530i thelift mechanism 52 associated therewith climbs an acclivity on the camtrack 84. The sleeve 50 associated with the roller 63 rises therewithelevating the cylindrical shell i! relative to the can table andcontainer until the piston structure II is engaged by a pedestal I03within the cylindrical shell 89 (Figs. 4 and 5). i

The pedestal l03 comprises a ring I04 encircling the guide rod 57, andpins I05 extending downwardly from the ring for sliding movement in bossformations I05.- on the cup shaped flange 61. Each pin I05 is encircledby a compression spring I01 seated in the respective boss formations I06and bearing against the underside of the ring I04 to maintain the latterin spaced relation with respect to the floor of the flange 61. Thesprings I0I are of sufficient strength to maintain the ring I04 spacedfrom the flange 61 when the ring supports the piston structure, cantable, and container and, consequently, the container will extendslightly above the conical rim 10 of the shell 69. However, when theopen upper rim of the container sealingly engages the filling valve unit5| thereabove, the springs I07 will yield allowing the cup shaped flangeand cylindrical shell to rise with respect to the container until theconical rim [0 sealingly engages the filling valve unit 5I. Upon sealingengagement of the rim 10 with the filling valve, the container will becompletely enclosed within a jacket I08 provided by the cup shapedflange, cylindrical shell, and filling valve unit. In this condition,the containers are conveyed through a circuitous path by the turret 2 asit rotates within the frame I.

At the opposite end of the circuitous path, the roller 63 of each lift52 descends a declivity in the cam track 64, a pin I09 extendinglaterally from the lower end of the rod 76 is engaged by the yokecasting ii I and the can table I4 is lowered. The can tables are thuslowered one after another so that the containers carriedtheresuccessively enter the mouth. of the discharge mechanism 5. Thedischarge mechanism 5 is of a conventional construction comprisingspaced twin screws III) suitably supported above the platform I0 andextending over the turret 2 to receive the containers from the cantables 14.

These screws III] are drivingly associated with power transmissiongears, not shown, within a housing III having a power take-off unit II2operatively connected to the auxiliary drive shaft 98 (Figs. 1 and 2) ina manner well known in the art. The twin screws rotate upwardly andoutwardly with respect to each other and have opposing convolutionscalculated to accelerate transfer of a container from a can table I4onto the platform I0 while the can table continues moving in itscircuitous path away from the container. The screws III! convey thecontainers across the platform I0 and subsequently discharge thecontainers one after another into an outlet chute II 3. a

Each filling valve 5| (Figs. 5 to 12, inclusive) comprises a body II5secured to the disc 46 by bolts IIB; The outer annular portion II! of aplate I I8 is secured to the body I I5 by cap screws H9 and the plate H0extends downwardly into an opening I20 provided in the disc 46. Thescrews II9 also serve to secure a sealing cap I2I to the'annular portionI I! of the plate I I8 so that the cap I2I is disposed below the disc 46in vertical alignment with and above a respective lift mechanism 52. I

Each sealing cap I2l has a skirting 0r annular wall I22 provided withan. inwardly extending lip I23. The inner wall of the cap I2I (Fig. 5)is lined with a rubber sealing ring I24 having a depending periphery 25retained within the cap I 2I by the annular lip I23 and having aninwardly extending annular portion I25 adapted to sealingly engage theopen upper end of a container presented thereto by the lift mechanism.

The plate IIB (Figs. 5, ll and 12) has an integral central portion :21,the lower face of which is provided with a dome shaped concavity I28surrounded by a depending circular rim I29. The upper face of the.central portion I21 is provided with a slight concavity I35 terminatingin quadrantal beveled edges I3I and slots I32 (Fig. 12) each connectedto a passage I33 provided by the annular opening between the circularrim I29 and the sealing cap I2! and sealing ring I24.

The body II5 is provided with a central bore I35, extending upwardlyfrom the concavity I30 into communication with the upper surface of thebody. The upper surface of the body H5 is provided with a depressedportion I55 surrounded by an upstanding annular wall I31 (Figs. 5 and11). A portion E36 of the body IE5 extends radially therefrom (Figs. 5and 6) i. e., inwardly with respect to the turret 2, and is providedwith parallel passages E35 and M5 extending through the body and spacedfrom each other and from the central bore I35 which is disposed betweenthem. The passage I35 communicates with the depressed upper portion I56of the body by way of a vertical bore I4i in the body and the passageI40 communicates with the depressed portion I36 by way of a verticalbore 552 in the body H5.

The centers of the two vertical bores I4I, I42 are equally spaced fromthe central bore I35 and are disposed 125 from each other relative tothe center of the bore I35 for reasons which will become apparenthereinafter. The body I I5 is also provided with a. venting bore I43(Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive) which is spaced from the central bore I35 aradial distance equal to the spacing of the bores I4I, M2 therefrom. Thebore I43 is disposed 120 from either of the bores I4I, I42 and isconnected to a passage I44 (Fig. 5) communicating with atmosphere at oneside of the body I I5.

The passage M (Fig. 13) extends through a downturned elbow I45 inalignment with an opening I45 provided in the disc 46 to communicate thepassage I40 with the vacuum chamber 49. The passage I59 is inclinedslightly to commu nicate with an upturned elbow I41 provided with abored foot 548 resting upon the disc 46 in alignment with a tappedopening I49 in the disc. The elbows I41 of the several filling valvesare arranged in a circle on the turret to support an annular conduit I56secured to each elbow by a long bolt II. The bolts I5I each extend fromthe top of the. conduit I50 down through the bore in the respective footI48 and are each threadedly connected to the tapped opening I49 inalignment therewith. The conduit I50 is uniformly supplied with liquid.such as syrup through several flexible tubes I52 (Figs. 1 and 2) eachhaving one end communicating with the annular conduit I50 and itsopposite end communicating with the upper conduit 25 of the tubularshaft 22.

Secured by bolts I53 to the upper wallof the annular conduit I55,adjacent each filling valve I unit 5!, is a bracket I54 having aclamping ring I55 formed at its upper end-for holding the cylinder I55of a pump I51 with its axis disposed radially with respect to the turret2.

The pump I51 is provided with a piston I58 secured to one end of a rodI55 slidably mounted in a sleeve E60 provided in one end wall of thepump. The opposite end of the rod I59 carries a roller ifiI whichengages a cam strap I62 concentrically disposed with respect to theturret 2. The ends strap is connected to the leg It for limitingmovement of the rods and pistons outwardly relative to the respectivepumps;

the annular portion II'I of the plate H8.

Between the legs I2 and I3, in alignment with the cam strap I62, is anarcuate cam I63 (Figs. 1 and 2) supported by a bowed beam I64 spanningfrom the leg I2 to the leg I3 and secured thereto by suitable clampingbrackets I65. One end of the arcuate cam I63 is pivotally mounted on thebeam I64 by a bolt I66 adjacent the end of the cam strap I62. Theopposite end of the arcuate cam I63 (Fig. 2) is provided with a slot I61through which a bolt I68 is extended and guided for sliding movementwithin a slot I69 formed in the beam I64. The free end I10 of thearcuate cam terminates adjacent the leg I3 and is adapted to be adjustedtoward and away from the axis of the turret 2 by a hand operated screwI1I threadedly supported in a boss formation I12 provided on the beamI64.

The end wall of the pump I51 (Fig. 5) opposite the sleeved end thereofis provided with an opening I13 into which is threaded a nipple I14having one end of a hose I15 secured thereto. The opposite end of thehose I15 is connected to a nipple I16 threaded into an opening I11 in aweb I18 provided on the extended portion I 38 of the body I I5. Theopening I11 forms one end. of a passage I19 provided in the web and bodyand terminating in an opening I provided in the depressed portion I36 aslight distance inwardly from the upstanding wall $31 of the body. Thebody H5 is likewise provided with an elbowed port I'8I a slight distanceinwardly from the annular wall I51. The port MI is provided with anipple I82 to which one end of a tube I33 is secured. The opposite endof the tube I83 is connected to a nipple i541 (Fig. 1) threaded into atapped opening I35 provided in the cup shaped housing 34 incommunication with the recess 38 of the distributing chamber 33,hereinbefore referred to, for conveying water from the chamber to thefilling valve unit 5I.

The body H5 is further provided with bores 86 and I31 (Figs. 6, '1, 8and 13) each spaced the same distance from the wall I31 as is the portIBI and the opening I86. The bore I86 communicate with the passage I45leading to the vacuum chamber 40. The core I01 (Figs. 11 and 12) extendsdownwardly at an angle from the depressed portion i36 to the bottom ofthe body I I5 and communicates with a vertical bore 586 in The bore I88is connected to a lateral bore I89 extending into the dome shapedconcavity I28 of the central portion I21 of the plate IIS.

Secured to the circular rim I29, hereinbefore referred to, by a suitableclamping ring I90, is the open upper end of an elastic bag or bellowsISI for closing off communication between the container and the boreI85. The side walls of the bellows I5! are creased or pleated so as tofold together automatically when collapsed and retracted in the mannershown, in Fig. 5. The lower end of the bellows Idi (Fig. 11) provides adiaphragm I92 adapted to engage fruit in the container when the bellowsis expanded.

A valve member I65 (Fig. 14) is disposed in the depressed portion I35 ofthe body II5 for rotation relative thereto and the lower face of thisvalve member is provided with a main recess I95 which extends radiallyfrom the axis about which the valve member is to rotate. The lower faceof the valve member I55 is further provided with an arcuate recess i9!spanning an angle of relative to the axis of rotation of the valvememher and a shorter arcuate recess I98 disposed substantiallydiametrically opposite the recess I91.

The recesses I91 and I92 are disposed in the same circumferentialrelationship with respect to the axis of rotation of the valve memberI55 and are adapted to register with the aforementioned opening I99,port I8i, and bores I85, I8? in the body H5. The valve member I95 isalso provided with a narrower arcuate recess I99 substantially midwaybetween the arcuate recess I90 and the outer radial extremity of themain recess I96.

The main recess I99 is in constant communication with the central coreI35 and is adapted to register with either the bore I4 I, I42 or I43when the valve member I55 is at rest in any one of its three principalpositions of adjustment, explained hereinafter. The narrower arcuaterecess 595 is adapted to register with ports 209, 25L and 202 providedin the depressed portion I35 of the body II 5. The recess I99 extendscircumferentially with respect to the axis of rotation of the valvemember I95 for intercommunicating either the port 200 or 252 with theport 20! during a certain phase of the rotation of the valve member withrespect to the body I I5.

The port 299 is connected to the aforementioned passage I55 (Fig. 5) forcommunicating the recess I99 with the atmosphere. The port 202 isconnected to the passage I55 for communicating the recess I99 with thevacuum chamber 49. The port 20I (Figs. and 13) is connected to a passage203 in turn connected to a passage 294 extending downwardly through thebody II5, plate IIS, cap I'ZI, and sealing ring 25. In other words, thepassages Eds- 54 are provided for communicating the recess I99 with thejacket I98 provided by the shell 59 when the lift 52 is in raisedposition (Fig. 4)

The valve member I95 is provided with an upwardly extending hub portion205 having a ball shaped end 29? which is engaged by a spring urged arm208. The arm 299 is provided with an aperture 205 which fits over theball shaped end 29? of the hub 205 and the opposite end of the arm isalso provided with an aperture 2h) through which the shank of a bolt 2extends. The bolt 2 extends through a sleeve 2I2 upon which the arm 258rests and the sleeve is supported on a boss formation 2I3 provided inthe web I78 of the extended portion I38 of the body H5. The end of thebolt 2H is threaded into a tapped bore 2I4 in the boss 2I3. Acompression spring 2I5 surrounds the upper portion of the bolt 2II abovethe arm 208 and is urged downwardly by a head nut 2H5 threadedlyconnected to the upper end of the bolt 2I I. The arrangement is suchthat the spring 2I5 bears down upon the arm 208 to urge the valve memberI95 downwardly so as to maintain its lower surface in sealing contactwith respect to the depressed upper surface I36 of the body H5. Thepressure applied by the compression spring 2I5 to the arm 258 may bevaried or, on occasion, released so that the arm can be swung aside by ahandle 2H secured thereto, and the valve taken apart for purposes ofcleaning or repairs.

Secured to the valve member I95 and extending radially from the hubportion 256 thereof (Fig. 2) are three teeth 2I8, 2I9, and 220 disposed120 from each other relative to the axis of rotation of the valvemember. These three teeth 2 I8, 2I9, 220 are adapted to be engagedsuccessively by three dogs 22I, 222, and 223, respectively, as the valveunits 5| move through the aforementioned circuitous path of travel. Eachof the dogs 22I, 222, 223 are secured to the aforementioned annularstrap I52 and extend radially inwardly therefrom (Fig. 2) to engage therespective teeth 2I8, 2I9, 229 as the turret 2 is rotated clockwise.

The first dog 22I is positioned just beyond the feed mechanism 4 forengaging the tooth 2I8, shortly after a container is presented to thefilling valve by the lift 52, to turn the valve member I95 120counterclockwise (Fig. 2) about its axis of rotation. The dog 222 ispositioned approximately from the dog 22I relative to the axis of theturret, for engaging the tooth 220 to turn the valve member I anotherstep counterclockwise about its axis, and the dog 223 is positioned justforward of the mouth of the discharge mechanism 5 for engaging the tooth2I9 to turn the valve member still another 120 step counterclockwiseabout its axis.

In operation the filling machine is constantly supplied with the desiredliquid, either juice, water, syrup or brine, via the supply pipe 3I, avacuum of approximately 28 inches of mercury is established in thevacuum chamber 49, and

water, or any other suitable fluid, is supplied to the distributingchamber 33 via the pipe 44. The turret 2, feed and discharge mechanisms4 and 5, respectively, are then driven in timed relation with respect toeach other by the drive mechanism 3 and containers are fed open end up,one after another along the inlet chute IOI into successive pocketsprovided by the star wheel I00 of the feed mechanism.

It should be understood that the feed mechanism is preferably providedwith a "no-can-no.

fill device, not shown, associated with the first dog 22I for renderingthe same inoperative with respect to the first tooth 2I8 of the valvemember in a manner well known in the art. In this regard, it will benoted that the first tooth 2I8 is of lesser height than the teeth 2I9and 220 and will, therefore, pass beneath either of the dogs 222 or 223so that operation of a valve unit 5| is entirely eliminated in the eventno can is presented thereto by the lift mechanism.

For purposes of clarity, the following description is confined to theprogress of a single container C through the filling machine and to theresultant operation of one filling valve mechanism during suchoperation. The container C is advanced by the star wheel I00 intoregistration with the can table I4 of one lift 52 after which thecontainer is elevated into the position shown in Fig. 4. In thisposition the open upper end of the container sealingly engages theportion I26 of the rubber sealing ring I24 and the coni cal rim 10 ofthe cylindrical shell 69 engages the inner surface of the dependingperiphery I25 of the sealing ring I24.

Each filling valve unit 5| is normally in closed or neutral, non-canfilling, condition as a containeris received by the can table associatedtherewith and when in this neutral condition, the valve member I95 is inthe position shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In this position the main recessI96 of the valve member communicates the venting bore I43 and passageI44 with the interior of the container (Fig. 5) and the narrower arcuaterecess I99 communicates the venting port 200 with the port 20I, passage203-404, and jacket I08 (Fig. 9). The short arcuate recess I98 connectsthe vacuum passage I40 with the bore I81 leading to the bellows I9I, andthe arcuate recess I91 connects the port IflI leading from the watersupply tube I83 to the opening I80 which is in communication with thepump I51.

aeseeoe Consequently, the container and jacket are both connected toatmosphere during and after sealing contact thereof with the sealing capI2I to thereby relieve any pressure created Within the container andjacket during presentation of either of them to the filling valve unitI. The bellows, being connected to the vacuum passage I40 is deflatedinto the condition shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 due to the atmosphericpressure prevailing exteriorly of the bellows, i. e., within thecontainer C. The arcuate recess I91 (Fig. 6) opens the water supply fromthe distributing chamber 33 to the pump I51 (Fig. 5) charging thecylinder I56 of the pump with a predetermined volume of water. Thepiston I58 of the pump is thereby forced into the position shown in Fig.5 and the roller I6I at the end of the piston rod I59 abuts the camstrap I62 (Fig. 2).

As the turret 2 rotates clockwise in Fig. 2, the first tooth 2I8 of thevalve member I95 engages the first dog 22I. Consequently, the valvemember I95 is rotated 120 in a counterclockwise direction within thedepressed portion I36 of the body II5 of the valve unit 5I, i. e., intothe position shown in Fig. 7. During rotation of the valve members I95,as stated above, the main recess I96 and the narrower arcuate recess I99shift out of communication with the venting bores I43 and 200,respectively, and into registration with the vacuum bores I42 and 202,respectively. Consequently, the container and jacket are simultaneouslyvacuumized. The bellows is again communicated with the vacuum passage sothat the vacuum prevailing in the bellows becomes equalized with thevacuum prevailing within the container and jacket, and at the same timethe pump is again connected to the water supply. I

As the turret continues to move clockwise, (Fig. 2) the dog 2'22 engagesthe tooth 229', turning the valve member another 120 stepcounterclockwise, into the position shown in Fig. 8. The main recess I96now registers with the bore I4I while thea'rcuate recess I91communicates with both the bore I81 and the opening I80. Consequently,the vacuum passage I49 is shut off relative to the jacket, container,and bellows, and liquid is directed from the liquid passage I39 into thepre-vacuumized container while the charge of water isolated in the pumpI5'I' is connected for discharge intothe pre-vacuumized bellows.

As soon as liquid begins to flow into the prevacuumized container, theroller IBI of the pump unit climbs the arcuate cam I59 and the piston[58- is thereby pressed against the. predetermined charge of water inthe pump I51 to transfer the water intothe bellows. Since the containerand bellows were both Vacuumized so far as is practicably possible, theyeach promptly receive a full charge of their respective. liquids withoutthe formation of air pockets.

The liquid flows from the liquid passage I39 by way of thebore IM,recess I96, and bore I35 stream along the inner wall of the container.As

the-liquid enters the container, the pump piston I58 is. forced inwardlya distance determined by the position of adjustment of the arcuate camI63 to transfer a measured quantity ofwater into the bellows, therebydistending the bellows to1 an predetermined size within the container.The

12 amount of water injected into the bellows is calculated to occupy apredetermined proportion of the volumetric capacity of the container todisplace a sufficient quantity of liquid therein and thereby allow forthe required head space.

In the event the container has previously been supplied with solidmatter, to such an extent that the diaphragm I92 of the bellows engagesthe topmost articles in the container in the manner illustrated in Fig.11, the bellows is sufficiently pliant to yield relative to the articlesand to expand into the crevices between the fruit as well as laterallywithin the container. In other words, the body of water in the bellowsis under suihcient pressure to expand the bellows, in the mannerexplained above, so as to displace the same amount of liquid as it wouldif there were no articles in the container.

In addition to displacing liquid in the con tainer, the bellows alsohold the solid matter in a natural position within the container withoutcrushing or bruising the articles therein. In this manner, when thecontainers are supplied with fruit, the several pieces thereof are notunduly compressed so as to close the interstices between them andconsequently the incoming liquid is admitted to all of the spaces notoccupied by fruit. Moreover, the expanded bellows is of a sizecalculated to displace the proper amount of liquid to assure a liquidlevel above the fruit in the container and to allow for a head spaceabove such liquid level when the container is removed from the fillingvalve.

After the roller I6I rides off of the end I'I'll of I the cam I63, theliquid within the container and the fluid in the bellows will remain ina static condition until the third dog 223 is engaged by the tooth 2I9of the valve member I95.

As the valve unit 5| passes the third dog 223, the valve member I95 isadvanced another step thereby completing one whole revolution,counterclockwise, so that the valve member is now 360 from startingposition, or again in the neutral condition shown in Fig. 6. In thecourse of this last 120 step, communication between the pump I57 andbellows is first cut off and subsequent thereto, communication betweenthe container and the liquid supply is cut oif. The water supply line isthen connected to the pump which is again charged with water, and thevacuum passage is again connected to the bellows to evacuate, collapseand retract the bellows. Ihe water used to fill the bellows if used overand over would become hot and therefore would expand and eventuallywould boil due to the vacuum prevailing in the containers. Consequently,the water in the bellows is changed and renewed after each fillingoperation to assure expansion of the bellows only so far as necessary todisplace a proper amount of liquid for obtaining the desired head spacein each container. Finally the container and jacket are again connectedto atmosphere (Figs. 5 and 9) so that as the lift mechanism 52 begins todescend the container is not air-locked relative to the sealing ring andwill freely lower with the can table 14.

As the container lowers away from the filling unit 5|, the bellows willalready have been retracted to the position shown in- Fig. 5, therebyallowing the liquid within the container to level off, slightly belowthe open upper rim of the container. Therefore, as the turretadvancesthe can table I4 into'registration with the'mouthofthe dischargemechanism 5, and the container is transferred into the latter, there islittle danger of the liquid spilling from th container.

Each filling valve unit operates in the manner as hereinbefore explainedduring one cycle of operation of the machine and each operation isrepeated successively from cycle to cycle so that there is a, continuousfilling of containers as they are fed into the filling machine. Thecontainers therefore discharge in a steady stream from the fillingmachine by Way of the discharge chute H3 and are ready for immediatecapping.

While the construction and operation of the filling machine and thefilling valve embodying the present invention has been specificallydescribed herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatthey are susceptible of various modifications and alterations withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. I, therefore, desireto avail myself of all variations and modifications which come withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a container filling machine, means for providing headspace incontainers being filled with liquid comprising a source of vacuum, asource of fluid and a source of filling liquid, a filling valvecomprising a container engaging seal, said valve having a plurality ofoperated conditions expansible means associated with said seal forexpansion into a container engaged thereby, said valve having a firstposition connecting said container and expansible means with the sourceof vacuum said valve having a second position connecting the containerwith the source of filling liquid and communicating said expansiblemeans with a source of fluid to thereby expand the expansible means intothe container to thereby displace a predetermined portion of said liquidtherein, and means for operating said valve from one position thereof toanother and subsequently again connecting said source of vacuum with theexpansible means for collapsing the latter to thereby provide a headspace above the liquid in the container.

2. A filling machine comprising a source of liquid, a source of vacuum,a source of fluid, means for isolating a predetermined quantity of saidfluid, a sealing cap adapted to engage a container presented thereto andprovided with an expansible member adapted to expand into the container,means cooperating with said sealing cap for providing a jacket aroundsaid container, a valve seat associated with said sealing cap having aplurality of ports each communicating respectively with the container,jacket, sources of liquid, fluid, vacuum, and with atmosphere, a valvemember rotatably supported in said valve seat and normally positionedwith respect to the ports thereof for connecting the container andjacket with atmosphere, the source of fluid with said isolating means,and said source of vacuum with said expansible member, and means forintermittently operating said valve member for connecting the source ofvacuum with said container and jacket for simultaneously vacuumizing thesame and for subsequently connecting the container with said source ofliquid while communicating said isolating means with the expansiblemember for expanding the latter during influx of liquid into thecontainer.

3. A filling machine comprising a source of liquid, a source of vacuum,a source of fluid, means for isolating a predetermined quantity offluid, a sealing cap adapted to engage a container presented thereto, anexpansible member on said sealing cap adapted to extend into thecontainer and to engage fruit therein, means cooperating with saidsealing cap for providing a, jacket around said container, a valve seatassociated with said sealing cap having a plurality of ports eachcommunicating respectively with the container, jacket, source of liquid,fluid, vacuum, and with atmosphere, a valve member rotatably supportedin said valve seat and normally positioned with respect to the portsthereof for connecting the container and jacket with atmosphere, thesource of fluid with said isolating means, and said source or vacuumwith said expansible member, means for operating said valve member forconnecting the source of vacuum with said container and jacket forsimultaneously vacuumizing them and then for connecting the container tothe source of liquid and the isolating means with the expansible memberfor expanding the latter into the container, and then for subsequentlyadvancing said valve member to its normal position for shutting off theconnection between the container and source of liquid and for collapsingsaid. expansible member while communicating said container and jacketwith atmosphere.

4. A container filling arrangement comprising an expansible vessel,means for positioning a container with its open end adapted to receivesaid vessel, means operable to supply liquid into the container, andmeans operable coincident with said liquid supply means to deliver fluidinto said vessel to expand said vessel into said container and therebyoccupy a portion of the volumetric capacity thereof, said expansiblevessel being of a nature to separate the fluid therein from the liquidwithin the container.

5. A container filling arrangement comprising a container engaging seal,an expansible bellows located within the confines of said seal, meansfor positioning a container with its open end in engagement with saidseal in a manner surrounding said bellows, means operable to supplyliquid into the container, means operable coincident with said liquidsupply means to deliver a predetermined quantity of fluid into saidbellows to expand said bellows into said container and thereby occupy apredetermined proportion of the volumetric capacity thereof, and meansfor withdrawing fluid from said expansible bellows to collapse the same.

6. A container filling machine comprising a sealing cap for sealinglyengaging a container presented thereto, expansible means suspended fromsaid cap and adapted to extend into the container engaged by said cap,means for isolating a predetermined volume of fluid, a valve normallyconnecting the container with atmosphere and said expansible means witha source of vacuum, and means of operating said valve for communicatingsaid container with the source of vacuum and for subsequently connectingthe container with a source of filling liquid and communicating saidexpansible means with said fluid isolating means.

7. A container filling machine comprising a sealing cap for sealinglyengaging a container presented thereto, a bellows suspended from saidcap for expansion into the container, means for isolating apredetermined quantity or fluid, a valve normally connecting thecontainer with atmosphere, said bellows with a source of vacuum and saidisolating means with a source of fluid, means for turning said valve forconnecting the container with the source of vacuum and then with asource of filling liquid while 15 communicating said isolating meanswith said bellows, and means for forcing the fluid from saidisolatingme'ans into said bellows for expanding the latter during influxof liquid into the container.

8. A container filling machine comprising sources of vacuum, fillingliquid and fluid, a sealing cap for sealingly engaging a containerpresented thereto, means for providing a jacket around a containerengaging said cap', a filling valve, a bellows suspended from said capfor expansion into the container, said valve normally communicating thecontainer and jacket with atmosphere while connecting said bellows withthe source of vacuum for retracting the same, means for receiving apredeterminedcharge of fluid for isolating the same relative to thesource of fiuid, and means for operating said valve for connecting thecontainer first with the source of vacuum and then with the source ofliquid, and said bellows with said isolating means for expanding saidbellows during influx of liquid into the container.

9. A container filling machine comprising a container engaging seal,expansible means located within the confines of said seal for expansioninto a container engaged by said seal, a valve having a first positionconnecting the container and said expansible means with a source ofvacuum, and a second position connecting the container with a source offilling liquid and said exp-ansib'le' means with a source of fluid, andmeans operable when said valve is in said second position for applying.a predetermined force against the fluid in said expansible means forexpanding the latter into the container.

10. A container filling machine comprising sources of vacuum,fluidandfilling liquid, a container engaging seal, expansible meanslocated within the confines of said seal for expansion into a containerengaged by said seal, a pump for isolating a predetermined. quantity offluid from said source, a filling valve, means for operating said valvein steps to first connect the container with the source of vacuum whileconnecting said pump with the source of liquid, and then connecting thecontainer with the source of liquidwhile' connecting said pump with saidexpansible means, then for re-conneeting said ex'pansible means with thesource of vacuum, means for operating said-pumpduringits connection withsaid expansible means for forcing the predetermined quantity of fluidfrom said pump into said expansible means to thereby expand the latterinto the container for displacing a predetermined quantity of liquidirrespective of engagement of.

ing two separate sources of fluid, an impermeable, fluid pressureexpandable member, means for positioning a container with its open endadapted to receive said expandable member, conduit means forcommunicating the inside'oi said container with one of said sources offluid and saidexpandable member with the other source of fluid, andvalve means in said conduit means effective Number to simultaneouslydirect fluid into said container and into said expandable member.

12. A method of obtaining a headspacein a container during the containerfilling operation which comprises inserting an impermeable expansiblemember having a predetermined volume when expanded into the container,and simultaneously causing fluid to flow into said member to expand thesame to said predetermined volnude and directing filling liquid into thecontainer.

13. A method of obtaining a headspace in a container during thecontainer filling operation which comprises inserting an impermeableexpandable member into the container, expanding said member to fill apredetermined volumetric portion of said container, directing a fillingliquid into said container to fill that portion not occupied by theexpanded member, collapsing said expanded member, and withdrawing saidcollapsed member from said container whereby a headspace of saidpredetermined volume will be obtained in said filled container.

14. A container filling machine comprising a sealing cap for sealinglyengaging a container presented thereto, fluid pressure expansible meanssuspended from said cap and adapted to extend into the container engagedby said cap, said expansibie means having a predetermined volume whenexpanded, a source of fluid, means for pressurizing said fluid, a valvenormally connecting the container with atmosphere and said expansiblemeans with source of vacuum, and means of operating said valve forcommunicating said container with the source of vacuum and. forsubcontainer and said expansible means with a source of vacuum-,- andasecond position con-.

necting the container with a source of filling liquid and saidexpansible means with a source offluid, and means for pressuriaing saidfluid causing it to flow into said expansible means to expand the samewhen said valve is in said second position.

, FRANK W. KRUEGER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,42 8,598 Weaver FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great BritainOct. 20,1904 Great Britain July 3, 1-935 France June 28, 1926 LochmannApr. 5, 1898 Lanninark Nov. 26, 1912 Shields Jan. '7, 1930' ThompsonJune 9', 1942" et. 7, 1947"

